Tengu

One of the most well-known types of youkai in Japanese lore, Tengu are humanoid creatures dressed like Yamabushi monks, with bird-like features, which are often found living in mountains and forests. Originally depicted in Buddhism as disruptive beings who foretell war, their image has mellowed out into protective (yet still dangerous) sage-like mountain spirits.

A prominent figure in Shugendō (a practice centered around Tengu), they are also associated with war and politics, and are often seen as mischievous, sometimes malicious beings. On some occasions, as mentors or guides.

Overall, Tengu are seen as antagonists in Buddhist lore, existing to harass practitioners and mislead them off the righteous path. They are specifically known to meddle with monks who possess similar traits as them, being vain or arrogant, and to harass those who would willingly misuse or abuse their power or positions. They dislike braggarts and those who twist buddhism for their own ends.

It’s said that they’re born from the ghosts of humans - usually priests - who were conceited and hold enough vice (anger, vanity, pride, heretical beliefs) that instead of falling into Hell, they fall onto the tengudō (tengu road) and turn into this new, demonic form. In later centuries, they targeted the royal family as well. They are well-known for seducing clergy and abducting children and priests, many of which were shown to have been driven mad or near-death when found.

There’s two primary types of Tengu: Daitengu and Kotengu, which are not created in equal standing. Knowledgeable individuals will be reborn as the greater, sage-like Daitengu, while those who are ignorant will be reborn as the bird-headed Kotengu. There are some other creatures given the ‘tengu’ moniker, which may have canine mouths instead of bird beaks, though these are a lot rarer. With the introduction of Daitengu to the lore, they have gone from being solitary entities, into ones which live in colonies - consisting of one Daitengu and the lesser brethren it’s in charge of. Noticeable individuals can be found on specific mountains.

Outside of their mischief with the clergy, they are omens of war, much like their origin in the tiangou. Furthermore, it’s said that they have a mastery of swordsmanship and are skilled in combat. They are said to have been the ones to teach Minamoto no Yoshitsune his swordsmanship.

No matter what type of Tengu, they are generally considered more mischievous than evil (at least in current eras), and have even gone from being seen as opponents of buddhism, to being protectors of it instead. Certain places which have religious cults centering around Tengu have come to view their respective Tengu as benevolent, deified figures.

Noticeable Items:

tokin - trademark little hexagonal hat, can be used as divining cup
tengu geta - one-slatted geta sandals, difficult for humans to stay balanced on
yuigesa - pompom sash
ha-uchiwa - fan made of feathers, able to stir up large gales
shakujo - trademark staff carried by buddhist monks

Other Items:

magic straw cloak - renders the wearer invisible, tricked into giving it away
magic gourd - ability not specified, tricked into leaving it behind
magic gun - ability not specified, given as a gift to a returned abductee

KOTENGU / KARASUTENGU / GUHIN (Lesser Tengu, aka: bird variation)

Lesser Tengu are usually depicted as anthropomorphic (usually crows or birds of prey like kites), with a diet consisting of any type of meat (not picky with source). Usually wear yamabushi robes, may carry weapons or other items (usually stolen from humans).

Unlike Touhou’s representation of Tengu, which operates as a fully-functional society, their folkloric origins tend to behave a lot more like wild birds. Occasionally they work together or with other youkai, but for the most part, they are solitary creatures. Like the birds they’re represented to be, they tend to collect things that are valuable - whether they be mere trinkets or true magical items. If you’re clever, these items can be traded for.

This type of tengu is noticeable for having very little respect for humans - often committing acts we’d deem as atrocities for fun, and take a higher level of joy in tormenting places of religious worship and those who work in them. When angered, they can be quite destructive. Though, given their rather vicious natures, there’s quite a few stories which involve outsmarting them for the valuable items they possess.

They are the original form which the Tengu take in their lore.

Note: There is a variant of Kotengu known as ‘Guhin’, where instead of having a bird’s beak, they have a canine snout instead. There are no other differences between these two types of Tengu, other than that Guhin are noticeably protective of their territories.

Also, there are two further types: Kawa tengu, and Shiba tengu, which are both known to be riverdwelling, and at least in the Shiba’s variant, quite possibly properly considered types of kappa.

April 19th, 2022

DAITENGU (Greater Tengu, aka: long-nosed variation)

Larger and more imposing than their lesser, bird-formed brethren, Daitengu are more human-like in appearance. Usually a red-faced man with a comically long nose, garbed in monk’s robes, and possessing large bird wings. They do not usually appear in the original anthropomorphic bird form.

Like the lesser Tengu, Daitengu live solitary lives. Unlike the lesser Tengu though, they do not behave or live like wild birds. Their solitude is spent in meditation and thought. However, they do possess greater power and pride than their lesser cousins, making them far more dangerous to encounter. On the other hand, they are prone to much more self-restraint, and may be more willing to assist humans.

While the lesser Tengu tend to be seen as antagonistic or outright villainous, the Daitengu tend to be seen as deity-like sages. The mountain religion of Shugendō involves them quite heavily, viewing them as divine beings and seeking out their wisdom. It is thanks to this variant that the species as a whole gained their war-like nature.

Although their presence was born from their lesser variants, they are considered to be the more powerful -and more respectable- type of Tengu, and it is thanks to their addition to the lore that Tengu are viewed with a decent amount of respect today.

April 19th, 2022

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KOTENGU / KARASUTENGU / GUHIN (Lesser Tengu, aka: bird variation)

DAITENGU (Greater Tengu, aka: long-nosed variation)

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